International System PDF

INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM  INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 1. THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 2. INTERNATIONAL LAW 3. DIPLOMACY & INTERNATIONAL REGIMES 4. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 5. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) 6. CHALLENGES  INT...

INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM  INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 1. THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 2. INTERNATIONAL LAW 3. DIPLOMACY & INTERNATIONAL REGIMES 4. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 5. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) 6. CHALLENGES  INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM TREATY OF WESTPHALIA (1648) Established the “Westphalian System of International Relations” Ended the Thirty Years War ‒ Settled key territorial disputes and sovereignty ‒ Religious freedom of non-Catholics ‒ Resolved issues in regional power politics Cemented the sovereign state as the primary actor in international relations INTERNATIONAL ANARCHY INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM No international sovereign to enforce law Anarchy ≠ chaos in this case ‒ Anarchic = no sovereign/ central authority ‘The absence of a central authority to make and enforce rules upon states in the international system.’ https://images.pexels.com/photos/16459372/pexels-photo- 16459372.png?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-xabioregi-16459372.jpg&fm=jpg ‒ Many authorities https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/02/qa-international-criminal- court-and-united-states -sovereign states -rules/international law, customs, agreements, treaties -international governmental associations -international courts - cannot enforce, summon appearance… GLOBAL GOVERNANCE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM Governance operates differently than within sovereign states. ‘The process whereby a number of different actors provide a certain degree of order and predictability…’ https://images.pexels.com/photos/16459372/pexels-photo- 16459372.png?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-xabioregi-16459372.jpg&fm=jpg https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/02/qa-international-criminal- court-and-united-states  INTERNATIONAL LAW WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL LAW? Classical definition ‒ “…body of legal rules, norms, and standards that apply between sovereign states and other entities that are legally recognized as international actors…” - Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) Modern definition ‒ Addition of Non-State actors (international organizations, individuals, etc.) ‒ “…rapidly developing complex of rules and influential—though not directly binding—principles, practices, and assertions coupled with increasingly sophisticated structures and processes…” ‒ Decentralized nature of international law vs. domestic law  INTERNATIONAL LAW SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW International treaties Custom General Principles of Law Judicial Decisions Legal Writings Other sources ‒ Agreements of International Institutions ‒ Equity  DIPLOMACY & INTERNATIONAL REGIMES DIPLOMACY An “instrument of foreign policy” “…principal substitute for the use of force or underhanded means in statecraft…primary tools are international dialogue and negotiation, primarily conducted by accredited envoys” “…most diplomacy is conducted in confidence…” Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) ratified in Canada in 1966  DIPLOMACY & INTERNATIONAL REGIMES INTERNATIONAL “REGIMES” Broad international cooperation on a particular file or issue Eg: Climate Accords (Kyoto, Paris) Eg: Nuclear Proliferation and Weapons Technology ‒ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ‒ Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ‒ Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran Nuclear Deal)  INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Broad Scope ‒ United Nations Limited Purpose ‒ World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Regional Cooperation ‒ European Union Collective Security / Defence ‒ North Atlantic Treaty Organization ‒ North American Aerospace Defence Command  NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Types of INGOs ‒ Advocacy: “aim to influence governments” ‒ Operational: “providing services” INGOs have the ability to influence and act on the international stage without affecting national sovereignty ‒ Eg: Health, Children/Youth, Education, Human Rights, Environmental ‒ Multi-lateral / disciplinary / focused SCHOOLS/THEORIES/APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS The ‘REALIST’ approach States are preoccupied with security Peace through deterrence International governance limited by sovereignty claims The ‘LIBERAL-INTERNATIONALIST’ approach Global governance is promoted by Increased cultural, social and economic connections and interdependence Value of peace, rule of law  “REALISM” The ‘REALIST’ approach Thomas Hobbes – prisoner’s dilemma ‘solitary poor, nasty, brutish and short’ Focus on security, defence of territory, economy, people, culture, ideology (e.g. democracy, rights)… = ‘national interest’ Hard power = ‘tangible resources or capabilities’ Soft power = ‘intangible resources’ International system – composed of states interacting with each other based on power distribution  “REALISM” The ‘REALIST’ approach: the distribution of power among states Multipolar system From Peace of Westphalia – WW2 At least 4 major poles of power Balance of power maintained by preventing any one power from becoming dominant – basis of security of each power https://media.tehrantimes.com/d/t/2024/03/16/4/4905419.jpg?ts= 1710600759089  The ‘REALIST’ approach: the distribution of “REALISM” power Bipolar system WW2  US and USSR – competing superpowers Democracy & free markets vs dictatorship & command economy Other states drawn into spheres of influence of the superpowers – blocs ‘cold war’ – 1949-1989 Nuclear deterrence – mutually https://egrowfoundation.org/site/assets/files/1248/usa-china-chiny- assured destruction [MAD] trade-war.500x0.png  The ‘REALIST’ approach: the distribution of power “REALISM” Unipolar system After the collapse of the Soviet Union [USSR] – 1989-- The US was the sole remaining superpower – military, economic size and strength GDP per capita = largest in the world EU and China are closing the gap Has the power to act unilaterally https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/202 Has an interest in building consensus and support to 3/2023-03-22/2a79bebe-4a41-4505-927c- 8906d8e2a695.jpeg promote legitimacy – in acting as a leader or hegemon  “REALISM” The ‘REALIST’ approach: limits of cooperation International Governmental Organizations [IGOs] Can support or constrain state action Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait [August 1990] Security Council/UN demanded Iraq’s withdrawal, & member states formed a military coalition to respond when it did not comply => the Gulf War Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Why has the Security Council reacted https://1.bp.blogspot.com/- iFcJpSs8ceQ/UQNTuP6y1pI/AAAAAAAAXpA/96jp3Ex68kw/s640/DSC_0131. JPG differently?  “LIBERAL-INTERNATIONALISM” The ‘LIBERAL-INTERNATIONAL’ approach: positive – looks beyond states – sees a complex network ‘increased cultural & social connections’ + economic interdependence  cooperation, rule of law, peace International Governmental Organizations [IGOs] International non-governmental organizations [INGOs] Red Cross/Crescent, Greenpeace, Amnesty International Multinational Corporations [MNCs] State institutions [legislatures, bureaucracies] Societies & Individuals  “LIBERAL-INTERNATIONALISM” The ‘LIBERAL-INTERNATIONAL’ approach Incentives to do what is considered right Prestige/reputation, international public opinion Self-interest in following international law and norms because of benefits of international order & predictability States join/interact with IGOs Can evolve and enforce rules & norms Not necessarily seen as diminishing sovereignty Can reduce costs – negotiating agreements, uncertainty… Promote voluntary compliance  “LIBERAL-INTERNATIONALISM” The ‘LIBERAL-INTERNATIONAL’ approach Interdependence Reduces likelihood of war Promote/ reward/ incentivize cooperation Can offset relative weakness of smaller players Support of bigger powers, larger community Benefits of compliance Costs of non-compliance = economic + political  “LIBERAL-INTERNATIONALISM” The ‘LIBERAL-INTERNATIONAL’ approach International Regime ‘a set of principles, norms, and treaties’ regulating international activity in a particular issue/sector Telecommunications Trade Collective security the principle that state members of the ‘collectivity of states … are jointly responsible for the security of each member’ & will ‘intervene on behalf of a member whose security is threatened by’ aggression by another state  “RADICAL” and ‘CONSTRUCTIVIST” approaches The ‘RADICAL’ approach Liberal democracy and free market capitalism does not diminish conflict, but causes it The ‘CONSTRUCTIVIST’ approaches National interests are constructed by elites based on identity, values, norms & ideas Promotion of these can promote a more reliable system of global governance POST-STRUCTURAL & POSTMODERN perspectives Challenge and deconstruct foundations  Changes to international power dynamics CHALLENGES ‒ Political, Social, Economic Decentralized Nature of the System Individual Global Actors Climate Change Migration …